Virgin A Day: Madonna and Child

 

Marianne Preindelsberger-Stokes Madonna and Child

Madonna and Child by Marianne Stokes

“The Madonna and Child was one of many works Stokes produced based on spiritual themes. It is a depiction of the Christian story of the birth of Jesus, told through the Gospels.

Painted in Ragusa on the Dalmatian coast, overlooking the Adriatic Sea, the model for the Virgin Mary was a local village girl.

The costume is representative of a traditional Dalmatian costume from the time, and provides a bright focus for Stokes to express her style as a colourist.

When the portrait was painted the place was under the semi-control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire but is now part of former Yugoslavia and Croatia.
In the background Stokes surrounds the Holy mother and child with thorny stems seeming to refer to the future crucifixion of Christ.

Stokes' interest in biblical themes is typical of the artists of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, whom she admired. The Pre-Raphaelite were a group of artists working in the second half of the nineteenth century. Their aim was to return to the purer styles of the early Renaissance artists like Fra Angelico and their subject matter was often spiritual.”

Marianne Stokes (1855 - 1927)

Born in Southern Austria in 1855 Marianne Preindlsberger Stokes studied art in Munich.

Above information from: http://www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/whats_on/madonna Madonna and Child by Marianne Stokes, 1907-1908, Tempera on board

 I was most taken by the expression on the face of Mary—it is one of both great tenderness and saddened resignation. She lifts the protective blanket that covers her infant son, to offer his beautiful expression of peace to the world, knowing in her heart that she will lose this deepest love and joy.

--Noelle Renee

For More Virgin Sightings go to Recuerda mi Corazon.